Was Blind, But NOW I See! Avoiding Those Pesky Blind-Spots

Blind-spot monitoring systems use radar to sense another vehicle in the lane next to you. However, by remaining attentive and using the proper mirror adjustments, you can keep yourself safe even if this technology is not available.

It’s definitely not a secret that blind-spots can be a major weak spot in any car, especially bigger ones, and they can be a real hindrance to us while driving. Not seeing something at the appropriate time can cause us to run into situations that otherwise could have easily been avoided… Literally! In recent years, we’ve seen a sharp increase in automakers offering all sorts of high-tech safety features on cars in an effort to both move the market towards an autonomous driving future, and to provide an extra security net for even the safest drivers. Of course, those features include blind-spot monitoring systems and others such as Honda’s Lane Watch system, which will give you a view of what’s on the passenger-side when you switch on your turn signal to change lanes. BUT WAIT! That’s fancy and all, but what if I told you that it isn’t necessary to have many of these features to drive safely or eliminate blind-spots? GASP!!! Well catch your breath, because we’re about to take a moment and find out just how this is possible, simply by adjusting your outside mirrors to an appropriate angle.

I should note: These adjustments may not feel natural immediately for every driver. Therefore, try these adjustments for yourself and see how you feel driving after making them. Then, you can make further adjustments accordingly. Many of these suggestions I was taught in my driver’s training class, and you’d be amazed at just how much knowledge you can also gain from a simple Google search.

Society of Automotive Engineers

This diagram shows the various angles you can set your side mirrors at and the resulting view you'll get.

In 1995, well before the modern era of high tech driver-assistance systems, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) published their thoughts on how blind-spots could be nearly eliminated. In their findings, they reported that adjusting your mirrors to the far outside allowed drivers to see around the rear corners of their vehicle better, thus better eliminating any unseen surprises. This also reduces the need for drivers to constantly check over their shoulders they say whenever they’re changing lanes. Debatable, but yet, I can see the logic applied there too. My thoughts: Always, always, ALWAYS check not just once, but twice or MORE over your shoulder before you switch lanes or execute a turn (look left, right, and left again, in the words of my driving instructor).

While this has turned out to be quite a useful method to employ for many, there are some drivers who have reported having a hard time adjusting to the new mirror settings and like seeing their car in their side mirrors. Personally, I think that using the SAE method has worked wonderfully in my daily commutes, and I have yet to have a close call due to the fact that a car was in my blind-spot and I missed seeing it. So I recommend to every driver out there to at least give these adjustments a shot! My driver’s training instructor, Mr. Bo, was sure to “drive it home to us” (sorry, I had to) that leaving our mirrors adjusted in a way that allows you to always see what’s going on behind or beside you will save you hundreds and even thousands in insurance and other accident fees. So while the “old way” may be comfortable, the newer way may just save you more headaches in the long run and allow you to look at how perfectly undented your car is from ALL angles, and not just your side mirrors. Sounds like a good deal to me! And remember: No amount of driver-assistance technology beats the safety of PAYING ATTENTION at ALL times while driving!

Our 2013 Buick Regal has one of the worse over-the-shoulder blind-spots I've ever seen in a car.

So do you use these adjustments suggested by the SAE now? What have you found works best for you to eliminate blind-spots or other distractions while driving? Comment and let the world know!

Until next time: Drive safe, and ROLL ON everyone!

Mitsubishi: They’re Still In the Car Business, But For How Long?

Mitsubishi: A name you don’t hear often now unless you’re buying a television, and even those don’t seem to be particularly common anymore. Yet and still, Mitsubishi Motors is in the news this week due to a couple of interesting developments regarding the company's past and future. Today, on Adam’s Autos, let’s discover just what has generated this buzz about a company that once was a major powerhouse among foreign automotive companies.

Nissan Shows Some Love

Given the fact that Mitsubishi isn’t exactly the most profitable car company in the United States anymore and has some other issues to handle at the moment, you would think that hardly anyone would be willing to do business with them right now. However, that’s not necessarily the case. Nissan recently announced that they are purchasing a 34 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors for 237 billion yen ($2.1 billion USD), which will make them the new top shareholder in the company. Both companies state that they have something to gain from this partnership, particularly in the Asian marketplace. They intend to share some vehicle platforms, technology, production facilities, and more. More specifically, Nissan could capitalize off of Mitsubishi’s popularity in places such as Indonesia, and Mitsubishi could gain from Nissan’s… Everything, since they need all the new momentum they can get, particularly in America if they plan to stay here. Nissan’s CVTs have gotten much better over time, so this is an example of just one area of where Mitsubishi could benefit from the new partnership. While no specific plans for new joint models have been announced for the United States, we’ll likely hear something eventually, and both companies have said they've had plans to build a new all-electric vehicle together for a little while now.

MORE Fuel Economy Scandals!

On the flipside of potential positive news for Mitsubishi, they’re now the latest company to get caught in a fuel economy scandal. What’s so surprising, is that these discrepancies in fuel economy appear to date all the way back to 1991! For now, it appears these falsified ratings currently just apply to some Japanese-market cars. But given that Hyundai/Kia had a similar issue in the United States just a few years back, and also VW group’s recent “diesel-gate” debacle, one can’t help but to raise questions as to whether or not some of Mitsubishi’s older U.S. models have been affected too. Ironically, two of the affected Japanese-market cars were branded as Nissans! Awkward… Mitsubishi Motors said that these inaccurate fuel economy measures were obtained by developing their own “high-speed costing tests” that gave far better results than ones mandated by the Japanese government. This story is still developing, and will likely involve probes into some of Mitsubishi’s U.S. operations, even though Mitsubishi says that none of their 2013-2017 model year vehicles should be affected. For now, all we can do is just see how things continue to unfold.

So what do you think about Mitsubishi? Will they ever regain relevance? Personally, the company always seems to take two steps forward and one step back to me. While some of their recently introduced and redesigned models have been better than their predecessors, they aren’t good enough to capture much attention. You can go months and not see a new (or old) Mitsubishi on the road! The Nissan business venture could help that, but only if people can see a market improvement in Mitsubishi’s operations and products. Additionally, they’ve discontinued three key cars that kept them relevant in the mind of buyers: The Eclipse, Galant, and more recently, the Lancer EVO! With no sporty flagship “halo” model or a solid midsize sedan entry, I don’t see how they can survive for very much longer in the U.S. market. They simply aren't competitive enough right now. However, time always tells all.

Here's some links to articles with more info on the Nissan-Mitsubishi business deal and Mitsubishi's fuel economy woes:

• http://blog.caranddriver.com/report-nissan-may-buy-a-controlling-stake-in-mitsubishi/
• http://blog.caranddriver.com/mitsubishi-admits-to-miscalculating-fuel-economy-since-1991/

Until we hear more, stay tuned, and ROLL ON!

The Eclipse and Galant were both discontinued after the 2012 model year, and the Lancer EVO will end production after 2016. This leaves Mitsubishi without a signature sporty model or a real competitor in the midsize sedan market. Seems like a HUGE uphill battle to regain relevance...

Africa’s Auto Industry: The Final Frontier for Growth?

Africa's automotive industry has some of the most untapped potential in the world. What could that mean for the future?

We all remember when America’s automotive industry was in decline just a few years back during the recession. However, looking at some aspects of it now, it’s almost amazing how much recovery and growth have taken place. New car sales are once again thriving. However, there’s still untapped potential out there. And it’s not necessarily in the United States. What if I told you Africa shows some of the highest promise for auto industry growth in the future? Can you dig it? Let’s find out why that’s the case, today on Adam’s Autos.

Sales and Potential: The Key Words

            

Currently, there are four countries in North and South Africa that account for 80 percent of all new car sales on the continent. But this is expected to change as Africa’s auto industry advances and becomes more competitive, according to Deloitte. Production in Africa is seen as not necessarily being viable in the short-run, but holds massive potential for being ridiculously profitable in the long-run. This probably just sounds like standard college economics all over again to some. But to investors and many African officials, it sounds like opportunity. Something that people don’t always speak on when it comes to African countries. In fact, in 2015, Africa accounted for about 1.55 million new car sales on a worldwide scale of over 90 million new cars being sold. That may just sound like the tip of the iceberg on a global scale (and it is), but by 2031, analysts predict that because of a growing middle class on the continent as a whole, new car sales could push over 10 million per year! That’s in less than 20 years! Amazing figures for an equally amazing country that holds so much rich world history.

Around the Nation

In other places around Africa, the story of potential is much the same. Nigeria’s vehicle market is dominated by commercial vehicles and used cars that have been imported. New car sales only account for roughly 10% of most vehicles sold there, but the South African government is making efforts to help jump start the Nigerian automotive sector even more. Additionally, several automotive companies such as Nissan and Ford have begun to export vehicle kits to Nigeria so cars there can be considered “locally made”, and also so they can begin to grow business in an area where there’s a high GDP per capita. Over in Kenya, the truck industry has been established for some time, but it is relatively low volume in terms of production. However, since Kenya is a gateway to East Africa and has a history of production and business, the country could potentially be a hub for new car assembly in the future. Similarly, in Ethiopia, the country is geared towards industrialization and has Africa’s second largest population of 94 million. Thus, it is likely that the success of the auto industry we’ve seen in other nations, such as China and the United States, could be easily replicated there.

So what are your impressions of this new-found potential in the African automotive industry? I feel that it’s always been there, and in other places as well, but we just never acknowledged it. It’s so easy to focus on ourselves until we sometimes can totally tune out others and their positivity. Given history and how Africa was exploited in generations past for its raw potential, let’s hope that this new-found raw potential is used to continuously build up communities there and the global markets as a whole. I seriously have no doubt that Africa will become a major global force in future automotive production given the right steps and investments are taken into consideration.

Read more on a few statistics here: http://afkinsider.com/123888/why-africa-is-the-final-frontier-for-automotive-growth/

That wraps it up for now! Until next time, ROLL ON!

Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Karma: What Goes Around Comes Back Around

Produced from just 2011-2012, Fisker's Karma was certainly a unique, but ill-fated entry into the electric luxury car segment. Now, can it potentially make a comeback with a revised... Everything pretty much?

Remember the Fisker Karma? If not, you're likely not alone. There aren’t many out there (around 2,500 or so), and the company went bankrupt pretty quick after starting up production of the Karma in 2011. Prior to that, production had been delayed multiple times. The original Karma started at $102,000 for the base model in the United States and $116,000 for the up-level model. Fuel economy was rated as 52 mpg-e (miles per gallon equivalent) in all-electric mode, and 20 mpg in gasoline mode. The standard engine in this car was a familiar GM 2.0 liter Ecotec 4-cylinder. I had a chance to ride in one some years back when it first launched as part of a promotional event showcasing the car and the new Chevy Volt at the time. My mother was working at the Michigan Department of Transportation, which essentially got us exclusive access. So it was quite cool being along for the ride in such a rare vehicle.

I had the pleasure of participating in a ride along in one of these rare rides in 2011 at the opening of a special electric charging station in Michigan.

From my experience, the car was put together well, was surprisingly fast and drove quite nicely, and felt plenty luxurious with suede and leather literally everywhere. It was also eerily quiet, and really cool seeing the solar panel on the top of the car and noting how it powered some of the car’s electronics. But the Karma felt ridiculously cramped (Fun Fact: Despite its size, the Karma was classified as a subcompact), and overall like it was going to be a niche vehicle from the start given its impracticality, price, and looks. I guess that assumption was right. Now, fast forward to the present-day, and it appears as if Karma Automotive (formerly Fisker Automotive, but now renamed) is planning to give the luxury electric car segment another shot. So can they do it and give Tesla and other emerging electric cars a run for their money? Let’s take a look and see, on Adam’s Autos.

A Green Global Generation

Karma Automotive is now owned by Chinese auto parts company Wanxiang Group, but has recently moved production tools and other equipment back to the Karma’s original home, California, in hopes to begin production of a new luxury electric car soon. This new model is scheduled to start production later this year and will be called “Revero”. Executives refuse to discuss pricing or expected delivery dates, but it sounds like things are a go. However, Karma plans to start taking orders in the near future and to unveil the car this coming July or August. The company has since been holding events with current Fisker Karma owners and providing updates. Roughly 80% of the original 1,950 buyers still own their Karmas. I’m honestly not sure what could’ve happened to the remaining amount of them out there… But I have seen a modest amount of Fisker Karmas in the used car market for surprisingly reasonable prices. In addition to all this, Karma Automotive is considering working with existing franchised dealers or adopting a direct sales model, which would pit them directly against Tesla. Now previously, the Fisker Karma was sold through franchised dealers, but you can imagine what a disaster that was (given the sales numbers). I’m willing to bet the direct-sales model will be the method of choice for Karma Automotive. Currently 500 employees are working for Karma Automotive, and extensive changes to the electronics system, wiring, charging, and battery are all said to be in store for this new car that’s coming soon.

So what are your initial impressions? I think that while the Fisker Karma was a noble concept, there’s simply no room for it in the marketplace right now. Consumers are still not 100% warmed up to the idea of cars like these, and what’s more is that Tesla currently has all of the “electric car start-up” momentum in their corner (even though they just posted a Q1 loss this year). This hold especially true given the company's recent unveiling of the Model 3 with its expected $35,000 price tag. That’s a lot more realistic pricing for much of the population, as opposed to $100,000+, which only some people can afford. Speaking of people: Who’s going to buy this??? Like I mean, outside of previous Fisker Karma owners? If this car is dropping this summer, there’s literally NO time to get hardly ANY marketing and advertising done besides to the select audience they already have! Then factor in the fact that so much is still unknown about this car… I’m not sure this newer model will get very far off of the ground either. But time will tell. Comment your own thoughts in the meantime.

A white Fisker Karma I saw in the wild a few years ago at a mall in Texas. Quite a rare sighting for sure.

Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Video Overview: The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu - Adam's Autos Is Now On YouTube!

ATTENTION, ATTENTION! Adam's Autos is now on YouTube as well!!!

I've been planning on doing this for some time now, and I will use YouTube to walk around and show various features of cars from time to time. I can also target an even wider demographic using a video format AND review format such as this.

My first video is up, and features an overview of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu that I released a review of last week. You can access the video by following the link provided:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCKyN6aOM7I

Expect more content on adamsautos.org to come TODAY, and further revisions and additions to the Adam's Autos YouTube channel in the future. Don't forget: Like, Comment, and Subscribe! ROLL ON, and thank for your support as always!!!

Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Finals Week Is Here!

To all of my fellow college students out there: Good luck on finals! The finish line is near, so STAY STRONG! The race goes to the ones who persevere. Relax, WE GOT THIS!

Copyright © 2016 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.